Featured Audience Ratings

• Anthony L

  
  Xala, or The Curse - in this instance, the curse of erectile dysfunction, is a very dry and witty film. It takes place when Senegal gained independence from France and how the naive, unprepared and down-right unsuitable the people who took over the country were. They are portrayed… More
  Xala, or The Curse - in this instance, the curse of erectile dysfunction, is a very dry and witty film. It takes place when Senegal gained independence from France and how the naive, unprepared and down-right unsuitable the people who took over the country were. They are portrayed here as intelligent businessmen, neatly groomed, suited and booted, wealthy and successful but still heaped with traditions and superstitious beliefs. The contrast and how quickly the country progressed (for want of a better word) is handled brilliantly by Ousmane Sembene who heaps the satire on by the bucket-load. It's funny, quite deadpan and very intelligent. It's quite shocking really too when you see some of the ancient traditions in contrast with modern living. The end scene is quite poignant and is great satire but is a bit grim, and I have to say it turned my stomach a bit so be warned.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]"Xala" starts with the European rulers being tossed out of Senegal, followed with them being welcomed back in by the new rulers, who are as corrupt as the old ones, with plenty of cash bribes. This is convenient for El Hadji(Thierno Leye), one of the… More
  [font=Century Gothic]"Xala" starts with the European rulers being tossed out of Senegal, followed with them being welcomed back in by the new rulers, who are as corrupt as the old ones, with plenty of cash bribes. This is convenient for El Hadji(Thierno Leye), one of the ministers, who needs the money because he is soon getting married for the third time to a much younger woman, Ngone(Diaynaba Niang). His first two wives(Seun Samb & Younouss Seye) are mixed about welcoming another wife into the family but his daughter, Rama(Miriam Niamg), is rather angry at the whole situation. The wedding goes well until the night when he cannot consummate the marriage. And then the rooster takes one for the team...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Xala" is a critical movie that examines post-colonial Africa in a humorous fashion. Writer-director Ousmane Sembene is commenting that for Africans to be truly independent speaking their native language, it has to be for all of its citizens, especially its women and poor.(There is a decided class consciousness in the movie.) But after a rewarding beginning and middle, the movie eventually loses its way, as it gets as distracted as its protagonist with his impotence. And what an ending! [/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font]